Method for controlling operation of touch panel and portable terminal supporting the same

ABSTRACT

A method and portable terminal for controlling an operation of a touch panel are provided. The portable terminal includes a memory for storing at least one program for supporting a user function operated based on a certain frequency upon activation of the user function, a touch panel, activated when the user function is supported, for supporting a touch function, and a controller for selecting frequency information that does not interfere with the certain frequency for operating the corresponding user function when the at least one user function is activated, and for setting the selected frequency information as a scanning frequency of the touch panel.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Dec. 13, 2010 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2010-0126739, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable terminal. More particularly,the present invention relates to a method for controlling an operationof a touch panel and a portable terminal supporting the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Portable terminals support a call function based on mobility and havebeen used widely due to convenient utility and easy portability.Portable terminals provide various input methods to provide userfunctions. For example, a typical portable terminal provides a touchscreen including a touch panel and a display unit. A user may process anoperation on the touch panel performed to select a specific image outputon the display unit. The typical portable terminal creates a touch eventdue to a corresponding user operation and controls an applicationprogram corresponding to a user function based on the created touchevent.

The typical portable terminal simultaneously drives a touch panel and adisplay unit, performs a specific operation according to a generationlocation and a type of a touch event occurring on the touch panel, andoutputs a corresponding image application on the display unit. The touchpanel performs a scanning operation for a predetermined time period tocollect touch events. However, the periodic scanning operationfrequently interferes with other accessory modules in the portableterminal. Accordingly, the portable terminal has a problem in that noiseoccurs in a user function of a corresponding accessory module. Moreover,a typical portable terminal has a problem in that it cannot perform anormal operation of a touch panel due to the occurrence of noise causedby a scanning operation of a touch panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a method for controlling an operation of a touchpanel capable of normally operating a user function and a touch panel bychanging a scanning period operating the touch panel according to a typeof user function to minimize an interference phenomenon occurringbetween the touch panel and the user function of the portable terminal,and a portable terminal supporting the same.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method forcontrolling an operation of a touch panel that may restrain theoccurrence of noise due to scanning the touch panel, and a portableterminal supporting the same.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling an operation of a touch panel is provided. The methodincludes activating at least one user function provided from a terminal,determining whether the at least one activated user function is a userfunction operated based on a certain frequency, selecting frequencyinformation that does not interfere with the certain frequency when theactivated user function is the user function operated based on thecertain frequency, setting the selected frequency information as ascanning frequency of the touch panel, and operating the touch panelbased on the set scanning frequency.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portableterminal for supporting operation control of a touch panel is provided.The terminal includes a memory for storing at least one programsupporting a user function operated based on a certain frequency uponactivation of the user function, a touch panel, activated when the userfunction is supported, for supporting a touch function, and a controllerfor selecting frequency information that does not interfere with thecertain frequency for operating the corresponding user function when theat least one user function is activated, and for setting the selectedfrequency information as a scanning frequency of the touch panel.

A method for controlling an operation of a touch panel and a portableterminal supporting the same according to an aspect of the presentinvention may stably drive a touch panel without the occurrence of errorupon operation of various user functions of the portable terminal.

Further, an aspect of the present invention is to restrain theoccurrence of noise according to scanning the touch panel. In addition,the present invention may remove interference between functionsaccording to scanning a touch panel.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portableterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a controller shown in FIG. 1according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method for a touch panelaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method for a touch panelaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purposes only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portableterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable terminal 100 may include a RadioFrequency (RF) communication unit 110, an input unit 120, an audioprocessor 130, a touch screen 140, a memory 150, a broadcastingreceiving module 170, and a controller 160.

The portable terminal 100 may identify a currently activated userfunction and change a scanning period for operating a touch panelaccording to various frequency environments operated in a correspondinguser function in order to stably support operations of a user functionand a touch panel regardless of the user function. The portable terminal100 is described below in more detail.

The RF communication unit 110 forms a first communication channel forvoice calls, a second communication channel for video calls, and a thirdcommunication channel for transmitting data such as images or messagesunder the control of the controller 160. The RF unit 110 forms a voicecall channel, a data communication channel, and a video call channelbetween mobile communication systems. To do this, the RF communicationunit 110 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting a frequency ofa transmitted signal and for amplifying the signal, and an RF receiverfor low-noise-amplifying a received signal and for down-converting thesignal.

A user function based on the RF communication unit 110 may be selectedand activated according to a touch event occurring on the touch panel143 or may be selected and activated according to an input signal fromthe input unit 120. For example, while a specific phone number includedin a phone book is output on the display unit 141, when a user touches atouch panel 143 on an output area of the corresponding phone number fora set time, the RF unit may be activated to form a communication channelbased on the corresponding phone number. When the portable terminal 100has a communication service function, the RF unit 110 may be included.If the portable terminal 100 does not support a separate communicationservice function, the RF unit may be omitted.

The portable terminal 100 may identify frequency information used for anoperation of the RF communication unit 110 upon operation of the RFcommunication unit 110, and determine corresponding frequencyinformation and frequency information for operating the touch panel inorder to determine whether a frequency for operating the RFcommunication unit 110 is included in a frequency range that mayinterfere with the touch panel 143. If an operating frequency of the RFcommunication unit 110 is included in a frequency range interfering withan operation of the touch panel 143, the portable terminal 100 maycontrol a scanning frequency of the touch panel 143 to be operated basedon a scanning frequency having a predetermined difference so as not tointerfere with an operating frequency of the RF communication unit 110.

The input unit 120 may receive input of numerals or text information andincludes a plurality of input keys and functions keys for setting alltypes of functions. The function keys may include arrow keys, side keys,and hot keys set to execute specific functions. The input unit 120generates a key signal associated with user setting and function controlof a portable terminal 100 and provides the generated key signal to thecontroller 160. The input unit 120 may be implemented by a Qwerty keypad, a 3*4 key pad, or a 4*3 key pad. The input unit 120 may beimplemented by a Qwerty key map, a 3*4 key map, a 4*3 key map, or acontrol key map. When the touch screen 140 is supported in a full touchscreen form, the input unit 120 may include only a side key provided ata side of a case of the portable terminal 100. The input unit 120 maygenerate and transfer input signals capable of activating a userfunction of the portable terminal 100, for example, an input signal foractivating the broadcasting receiving module 170 and an input signal foractivating the RF communication unit 110 to the controller 160 accordingto user control.

The audio processor 130 includes a speaker SPK for playing transmittedand received audio data at a call time, audio data included in areceived message, and audio data according to playback of audio filesstored in the memory 150; and a microphone MIC for collecting a user'svoice or other audio signals at the call time. When a touch operationoccurs on a touch panel 143 of the portable terminal 100 to create acorresponding specific touch event, the audio processor 130 may outputan effect sound according to the touch event. An output of the effectsound according to the touch event may be removed according to a usersetting. If a scanning frequency of the touch panel 143 changes, theaudio processor 130 may selectively output a corresponding alarmaccording to a user setting.

The touch screen 140 includes a display unit 141 and a touch panel 143.The touch panel 143 may be disposed at a front surface of the displayunit 141. The size of the touch screen 140 may be determined dependingon the size of the touch panel 143.

The display panel 141 displays all types of menus of the portable device100, information input by a user, or information provided to the user.The display unit 141 may provide various screens according to the use ofthe portable terminal 100, such as an idle screen, a menu screen, amessage creation screen, and a call screen. The display unit 141 may beconfigured by a flat panel display such as a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD) or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED). The display unit 141may be provided at an upper portion or a lower portion of the touchpanel 143. The display unit 141 may be driven under the control of thecontroller 160. The display panel 141 may output information regardingfrequency variation for scanning a touch event of the touch panel 143.For example, the display panel 141 may output scanning frequencyinformation allotted to operate a current touch panel 143 together withfrequency information applied to a currently activated user function.The foregoing information may be output for a predetermined time in aninitial time point when a user function is activated and then removedfrom a screen or may be continuously output on a side of the screen to atermination time of a corresponding user function. Output of thecorresponding information may be omitted according to a user setting orintention.

The touch panel 143 is disposed in at least one of an upper portion or alower portion of the display unit 141. The touch panel 143 may generatea touch event according to a contact or approach distance of an objectand transfer the generated touch event to the control unit 160. Sensorsconstituting the touch panel may be arranged in a matrix pattern.Corresponding location information on the touch panel 143 andinformation regarding a type of a touch event are transferred to thecontrol unit 160 according to a touch event occurring on the touch panel143. The controller 160 determines location information and a type of atouch event transferred from the touch panel 143. The controller 160 mayidentify specific information of the display unit 141 mapped to acorresponding location and then activate a user function linked to thecorresponding specific information.

To collect the touch events, the touch panel 143 performs a scanningoperation for a predetermined time period. The scanning operation of thetouch panel 143 may be controlled according to a currently activateduser function. When a currently activated user function uses apredetermined frequency band identical to a scanning period operatingthe touch panel 143 or a frequency band that may resonate with acorresponding frequency band, the touch panel 143 may perform a scanningoperation based on frequency information differing from thepredetermined frequency band or another frequency information except fora resonant frequency with the corresponding frequency band. When thecurrently activated user function changes to support a correspondinguser function based on another frequency band, the touch panel 143 mayperform a scanning operation based on a frequency band that does notinterfere with at least one currently operated frequency band. When aseparate frequency is not operated, the touch panel 143 may perform ascanning operation based on a preset scanning frequency. For example, ifa broadcasting receiving function is operated by activation of a currentbroadcasting receiving module 170, the touch panel 143 may select andoperate a frequency that does not interfere with frequency bandsoperated in the broadcasting receiving module 170 as a scanningfrequency. When the broadcasting receiving module 170 is operated basedon frequencies such as VHF1, VHF2, and UHF, the touch panel 143 mayselect and operate frequency information differing from the frequencybands and frequency information that does not interfere withcorresponding frequency bands.

The memory 150 may store information regarding a key map, a menu map, ora touch lock part cancellation area for an operation of the touch screen140 as well as an application program used for a function operationaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The keymap or the menu map may each have various forms. The key map may includea keyboard map, a 3*4 key map, a Qwerty key map, or a control key mapfor controlling an operation of a currently activated applicationprogram. The menu map may include a menu map for controlling anoperation of the currently activated application program. The memory 150may include a program area and a data area.

The program area may store an Operating System (OS) for booting theportable terminal 100 and for operations of respective constructions,and application programs for playing various files, such as anapplication program for supporting a call function of the portableterminal 100, a web browser for accessing an Internet server, an MP3application program for playing other sound sources, an image outputapplication program for displaying photographs, a moving image playingapplication program, and a program for supporting various user functionssuch as an analog broadcasting receiving function, a digitalbroadcasting receiving function, a long distance wireless communicationfunction, and a near distance wireless communication function. Theprogram area of the present invention may also store a touch operatingprogram 151.

The touch operating program 151 is loaded in the controller 160 when thetouch panel 143 is activated according to schedule information, andsupports an operation of the touch panel 143. The touch operatingprogram 151 may include a routine for controlling power supply of thetouch panel 143, a routine for determining the presence of frequencyoperation of a currently activated user function, a routine fordetermining a corresponding frequency band upon activation of a userfunction based on the frequency operation, a routine for determining ascanning frequency setting value previously stored in the memory 150 toselect a frequency that does not interfere with frequency bands for atleast one user function, and a routine for applying the selectedfrequency as the scanning frequency. The touch operating program 151 mayfurther include a routine for acquiring frequency information associatedwith a corresponding user function where a scanning frequency settingvalue regarding a currently activated user function is not stored in thememory 150, and a routine for selecting frequency information that doesnot interfere with the acquired frequency information and for applyingthe selected frequency information to the touch panel 143. The touchoperating program 151 may also include a routine for associating a userfunction with new scanning frequency information applied to the touchpanel 143 and for storing the user function, and a routine for analyzingassociated information stored in the memory 150 in order to acquirecorresponding scanning frequency information where the same userfunction is activated afterwards and for operating the touch panel 143based on the acquired scanning frequency information. The scanningfrequency information associated with the specific user function may bepreviously stored by a designer or manufacturer.

The data area stores data created according to use of the portableterminal 100, and may store phone book data, at least one icon accordingto a widget function, and various contents. The data area may store userinput achieved by the touch panel 143. In particular, the data area maystore various information created on the touch panel 143. In particular,the data area may store a setting value of the touch panel 143. Forexample, when the specific user function is activated, the data area maystore a first setting value 153 for setting a scanning frequency. Whenanother user function is activated, the data area may store a secondsetting value 155 for setting the scanning frequency. The data area mayalso store another scanning frequency setting value that does notinterfere with a corresponding frequency with respect to respective userfunctions operated based on a specific frequency.

The broadcasting receiving module 170 supports a broadcasting receivingfunction of the portable terminal 100. The broadcasting receiving module170 operates a predetermined frequency band, and includes an antennasupporting a corresponding frequency band therefor. The broadcastingreceiving module 170 demodulates and decodes signals received through acorresponding antenna, and controls the audio processor 130 and thedisplay panel 141 to output audio data and video data included in thedecoded signals. The broadcasting receiving module 170 may receive asignal in one of an analog TV scheme or a digital TV scheme according tothe intention of a designer or manufacturer. To do this, thebroadcasting receiving module 170 may include an antenna according to abroadcasting scheme supported from the broadcasting receiving module170, and may operate various broadcasting receiving frequenciesaccording to each support scheme or a selection channel.

The control unit 160 controls power supplied to respective constructionsof the portable terminal 100 to execute an initialization procedure. Thecontroller 160 may adjust a scanning period of the touch panel 143according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Anexample of the controller 160 is described below with respect to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a controller 160 shown in FIG. 1according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 160 may include a touch panelsetting unit 161, a function control unit 163, and a touch panel driver165.

The touch panel setting unit 161 transfers information regarding ascanning frequency for operating the touch panel 143 to the touch paneldriver 165. The touch panel setting unit 161 may transfer setting valuesstored in the memory 150, for example, one of a first setting value 153or a second setting value 155 to the touch panel driver 165 according toa signal provided from the function control unit 163.

The touch panel driver 165 drives a scanning period of the touch panel143 differently according to a setting value provided from the touchpanel setting unit 161. When the touch panel setting unit 161 transfersthe first setting value 153, the touch panel driver 165 operatesscanning of the touch panel 143 based on a scanning frequency indicatedby the first setting value 153. When the touch panel setting unit 161transfers the second setting value 155, the touch panel driver 165 maycontrol a scanning period based on a scanning frequency indicated by thesecond setting value 155.

The function control unit 163 identifies an input signal input from theinput unit 120 or the touch panel 143 to activate a corresponding userfunction. For example, when the user creates an input signal to activatethe broadcasting receiving module 170, the function control unit 163loads an application program for operating the broadcasting receivingmodule 170 from the memory 150 and activates the broadcasting receivingmodule 170 according to the created input signal. The function controlunit 163 may receive a broadcasting signal provided from a broadcastingsystem through an activated application program and the broadcastingreceiving module 170, and demodulate and decode the receivedbroadcasting signal to output corresponding audio data and video data.In this procedure, the function control unit 163 may transferinformation associated with a user function activated according to theinput signal to the touch panel setting unit 161. Accordingly, the touchpanel setting unit 161 may identify a scanning frequency setting valueaccording to information associated with the user function provided fromthe function controller 163 from the memory 150, and transfer acorresponding setting value to the touch panel driver 165.

When information regarding the scanning frequency setting value providedfrom the function controller 163 is not included in the memory 150, thetouch panel setting unit 161 may analyze the information regarding theuser function to determine the frequency in which the user function isbeing operated. To do this, the touch panel setting unit 161 may analyzeinformation of a function module supporting a corresponding userfunction, and acquire information regarding frequency operation fromcorresponding information. The touch panel setting unit 161 may monitora function module operated according to a currently activated userfunction to monitor a frequency of a transmitted or received signal,thereby detecting a frequency operation value according to acorresponding user function. If frequency value information of a userfunction selected by a user is acquired in various schemes, the touchpanel setting unit 161 may select optional frequency information thatdoes not interfere with a corresponding frequency and transfer theselected optional frequency information to the touch panel driver 165.The touch panel setting unit 161 identifies a plurality of scanningfrequency information operable by the touch panel driver 165 in advancesuch that the touch panel driver 165 may select operable scanningfrequencies.

As illustrated above, when at least one currently activated userfunction operates at least one certain frequency, the portable terminal100 operates a scanning period of the touch panel 143 based on frequencyinformation that does not interfere with a corresponding frequency toprevent the occurrence of noise of a user function according to ascanning operation of the touch panel 143 and to prevent an erroneousoperation of the touch panel 143.

The foregoing exemplary embodiment has explained a configuration of theportable terminal 100 and functions thereof An exemplary method forcontrolling an operation of a touch panel operated through the foregoingportable terminal 100 is described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method for a touch panelin a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. A user function based on a certain frequency of theportable terminal 100 is described below as a representative example ofa broadcasting receiving function. However, exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are not limited thereto. Exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are applicable to various frequency based userfunctions such as wired/wireless long distance communication and neardistance communication.

Referring to FIG. 3, when power is supplied to the portable terminal100, the controller 160 initializes the portable terminal 100 using thesupplied power and control output of an idle screen according to setschedule information in step 301.

The controller 160 determines whether to perform a broadcastingreceiving function operating a certain frequency in step 303. To dothis, the controller 160 may control the touch panel 143 to be operatedbased on a preset scanning frequency setting value and determine whetherselection of a user function according to a touch event occurring on thetouch panel 143 is an event for selecting a broadcasting receivingfunction. The controller 160 may determine whether a signal input froman input unit 120 is a signal for activating the broadcasting receivingfunction.

When a signal input from the input unit 120 or a touch panel 143 is thesignal for activating the broadcasting receiving function at step 303,the controller 160 identifies a first setting value 153 set to beoperated upon activation of the broadcasting receiving function from amemory 150, and sets a scanning frequency to the touch panel 143 basedon the first setting value 153 in step 305. The first setting value 153may be frequency information that does not interfere with frequenciesoperated in a broadcasting receiving module 170 supporting thebroadcasting receiving function.

If a signal for activating a user function regardless of operation of abroadcasting receiving function, namely, without performing operation ofa separate frequency is input, the controller 160 sets a scanningfrequency of the touch panel 143 based on a second setting value in step307. The second setting value is a preset certain scanning frequencysetting value, and may be a scanning frequency value of a touch panel143 set while outputting the touch panel 143.

The controller 160 activates a user function and controls the touchpanel 143 to be operated based on a preset scanning frequency settingvalue in step 309.

If an input signal for terminating a corresponding user function isgenerated in step 311, the controller 160 returns to step 301. If theinput signal for terminating a corresponding user function is notgenerated, the controller 160 determines whether an input signal forterminating the portable terminal is generated in step 313. If the inputsignal for terminating the portable terminal is not generated, theprocessor returns to step 309 and the controller 160 maintains executionof a corresponding function.

When a portable terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention supports a multi-media function to enable a user toperform respective user functions based on operation of respectivecertain frequencies while activating and operating a plurality of userfunctions, the portable terminal 100 may set a scanning frequency to atouch panel 143. The user may operate a broadcasting receiving module170 to generate an input for watching broadcasting while performing neardistance communication using a portable terminal 100 with a neardistance communication module. Accordingly, the controller 160 mayidentify scanning frequency setting value information of a touch panel143 according to a currently activated near distance communicationfunction and scanning frequency setting value information of the touchpanel according to the broadcasting receiving function. The controller160 may also determine whether respective setting values of two userfunctions have an overlapping region. If the scanning frequency settingvalues have an overlapping region or are included in a region capable ofcausing interference, the controller 160 may select another scanningfrequency setting value and operate the touch panel 143 based on a newlyselected scanning frequency setting value. When the scanning frequencysetting values do not overlap, the controller 160 may operate the touchpanel 143 based on a default set scanning frequency setting value, suchas a scanning frequency setting value supported upon activation of thebroadcasting receiving function.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method for a touch panelaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when power is supplied to the portable terminal 100as in step 301, the controller 160 initializes respective componentsthereof using the supplied power and control output of an idle screenaccording to set schedule information in step 401.

The controller 160 determines whether an input signal for activating auser function is generated in step 403. If the input signal foractivating a user function is generated, the controller 160 determineswhether a scanning frequency setting value associated with the userfunction operating the touch panel 143 is included in a memory 150 instep 405. When a corresponding setting value is included in the memory150, the controller 160 executes an operation of a touch panel 143according to the setting value as illustrated in FIG. 3 in step 407.

Conversely, when the setting value associated with the user function isnot included in the memory 150, the controller 160 acquires frequencyinformation associated with the user function in step 409. Thecontroller 160 may refer to currently activated user functioninformation, identify a function module supporting the user function, oranalyze a signal transmitted/received by a corresponding function moduleto detect frequency information.

The controller 160 may select frequency information that does notinterfere with the acquired frequency information in step 411. Thecontroller may select frequency information operable in the touch panel143 in order not to interfere with the acquired frequency information.

The controller 160 sets the selected frequency information as a scanningfrequency in step 413. The controller 160 transfers the selectedfrequency information to a touch panel driver 165 to set a scanningfrequency of the touch panel 143. Simultaneously, the controller 160stores the selected frequency information in the memory 150 in step 415.In this procedure, the controller 160 may link the selected frequencyinformation with a currently activated user function to search aprevious setting value upon activation of a corresponding functionafterwards and control the memory 150 in order to store the selectedfrequency information.

The controller 160 may execute a corresponding user function based on anactivated touch panel 143 in step 417. The controller 160 may determinewhether an input signal for terminating a function is generated in step419. When the input signal for terminating a function is not generated,the controller 160 returns to step 417 and maintains an executionprocedure of the user function.

When the input signal for terminating a function is generated at step419, the controller 160 terminates a corresponding user function.

The controller 160 determines whether an input signal for terminatingthe portable terminal is generated in step 421. If the input signal forterminating the portable terminal is not generated, the processorreturns to step 401.

The controller 160 may collect and store scanning frequency informationof a touch panel associated with a user function operated based on acertain frequency while performing the foregoing procedures.

As described above, a portable terminal 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may change a scanning frequency inorder not to interfere with a scanning frequency of the touch panel 143in connection with frequency information of a currently activated userfunction in a procedure operating the touch panel 143 to remove noise ofthe user function and to stably operate the touch panel 143.

A method for controlling an operation of a touch panel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention may perform asetting value determining procedure, a touch panel operating procedure,and a setting value storing procedure when scanning frequency settingvalue information of a touch panel 143 associated with a currentlyactivated user function is not stored in advance to adaptively operatethe touch panel 143 with respect to various user functions or new userfunctions.

The foregoing portable terminal 100 may further include variousadditional modules according to provision forms. When the portableterminal 100 is a communication terminal, the portable terminal 100 mayinclude constructions that are not mentioned, such as a near distancecommunication module for near distance communication, a camera modulefor photographing still images/moving images of a subject, an interfacefor exchanging data in a wired communication scheme or a wirelesscommunication scheme of the portable terminal 100, an Internetcommunication module for communicating with an Internet to perform anInternet function, and a digital broadcasting module for receiving andbroadcasting digital broadcasting. As the structural elements may bevariously changed according to a convergence trend of a digital device,these elements are omitted for purposes of clarity. However, theportable terminal 100 may include structural elements equivalent to theforegoing structural elements. The portable terminal 100 according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention may be substituted byspecific constructions in the foregoing arrangements according to theprovided form or another structure. This can be easily understood tothose skilled in the present art.

The portable terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may be one of various types of devices having acommunication module capable of performing data communication. Forexample, the portable terminal 100 may be an information communicationdevice and/or a multimedia device, such as a Portable Multimedia Player(PMP), a digital broadcasting player, a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a music player (e.g., MP3 player), a portable game terminal, asmart phone, a notebook computer, and a handheld PC, as well as variousmobile communication terminals corresponding to various communicationsystems.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling an operation of a touchpanel, the method comprising: activating at least one user functionprovided from a terminal; determining whether the at least one activateduser function is a user function operated based on a certain frequency;selecting frequency information that does not interfere with the certainfrequency when the activated user function is the user function operatedbased on the certain frequency; setting the selected frequencyinformation as a scanning frequency of the touch panel; and operatingthe touch panel based on the set scanning frequency, wherein theselecting of the frequency information comprises: acquiring frequencyinformation associated with the user function when determined that asetting value is not stored in a memory and selecting frequencyinformation operable in the touch panel so as not to interfere with theacquired frequency information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theselecting of the frequency information further comprises selectingfrequency information that does not interfere with a plurality ofcertain frequencies when at least one user function operating theplurality of certain frequencies among the at least one user function isactivated.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting of thefrequency information further comprises: determining whether the settingvalue corresponding to a frequency that does not interfere with thecertain frequency associated with the user function is stored in thememory; and selecting the setting value when the setting value is storedin the memory.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: associatingthe newly selected frequency information with the user function; andstoring the newly selected frequency information.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein the selecting of the frequency information comprisesselecting the stored frequency information associated with the userfunction when the user function associated with the newly selectedfrequency information is activated.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising setting a scanning frequency of the touch panel based on apreset setting value when the activated user function is not the userfunction operated based on a certain frequency in determining whetherthe at least one activated certain user function is a user function. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the user function comprises at least oneof a broadcasting receiving function of an analog scheme, a broadcastingreceiving function of a digital scheme, a long distance wirelesscommunication function, or a near distance wireless communicationfunction.
 8. A portable terminal for supporting operation control of atouch panel, the terminal comprising: a memory for storing at least oneprogram supporting a user function operated based on a certain frequencyupon activation of the user function; a touch panel, activated when theuser function is supported, for supporting a touch function; and acontroller for selecting frequency information that does not interferewith the certain frequency for operating the corresponding user functionwhen the at least one user function is activated, and for setting theselected frequency information as a scanning frequency of the touchpanel, wherein the controller acquires frequency information associatedwith the user function when a setting value is not stored in the memoryand selects frequency information operable in the touch panel so as notto interfere with the acquired frequency information to set a scanningfrequency of the touch panel.
 9. The portable terminal of claim 8,wherein the controller comprises: a function control unit for supportingactivation of the user function; a touch panel setting unit forselecting scanning frequency information of the touch panel; and a touchpanel driver for driving a scanning operation of the touch panel withthe scanning frequency information selected by the touch panel settingunit.
 10. The portable terminal of claim 9, wherein the touch panelsetting unit selects frequency information that does not interfere witha plurality of certain frequencies when at least one user functionoperating the plurality of certain frequencies is activated.
 11. Theportable terminal of claim 9, wherein the touch panel setting unitselects frequency information that does not interfere with a pluralityof certain frequencies for supporting a plurality of user functions whenat least one of the plurality of user functions operating the pluralityof certain frequencies is activated.
 12. The portable terminal of claim8, wherein the memory stores at least one scanning frequency settingvalue corresponding to a frequency that does not interfere with at leastone certain frequency associated with the user function.
 13. Theportable terminal of claim 8, wherein the memory associates the newlyselected frequency information with the user function and stores thenewly selected frequency information.
 14. The portable terminal of claim13, wherein the controller selects the stored frequency informationassociated with the user function when the user function associated withthe newly selected frequency information is activated to set thescanning frequency of the touch panel.
 15. The portable terminal ofclaim 8, wherein the memory stores a program supporting at least oneuser function of a broadcasting receiving function of an analog scheme,a broadcasting receiving function of a digital scheme, a long distancewireless communication function, or a near distance wirelesscommunication function.